Newcastle United and Derby County have both been linked with Jota and Tom Lawrence this summer.
According to a report in the Leicester Mercury, both Jota and Tom Lawrence were on Newcastle United’s radar this summer – but they could be beaten to the punch by Derby County.
The Sun have suggested that Derby are in for the Brentford and Leicester City players.
And Newcastle may now need to respond, if they are to force a deal over the line for either of the pair.
Newcastle have an obvious advantage over Derby if they do submit a bid for Jota or Lawrence, as they can offer Premier League football.
However, Derby appear to have moved ahead of the Magpies in the race for the pair’s signatures – and Rafael Benitez could be left to look on with regret, if his side are left behind by the Rams.
Both Lawrence and Jota may be entirely unproven in the Premier League, but their form in the Championship suggests that they both have bright futures.
And if Lawrence and Jota go on to fulfil their potential at Derby, Newcastle could be left regretting not making an offer, while they had the chance.
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